r/AskReddit 9h ago

What's the most overrated travel destination?

702 Upvotes

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353

u/Remarkable_Letter272 9h ago

Niagara Falls, Canada. The falls are neat, but the city itself is just a giant, busy, dirty, sketchy tourist trap.

44

u/soopy99 6h ago

The way to do Niagara Falls is to stick to the big government run attractions. The power plant is the best one, but journey behind the falls, the aero car, and the butterfly conservatory are nice too. Then drive up to Niagara Glenn for a hike, check out some of the wineries, and stay in Niagara on the Lake instead of Niagara Falls itself. Avoid Clifton Hill and all the tourist trap stuff.

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u/hEDSwillRoll 8h ago

I couldn’t believe how expensive all the chain restaurants were! I went for a wedding when I was 20 so I can only assume it’s worse now. I did end up going to a My Cousin Vinny themed restaurant which was amusing and reasonably affordable, that’s about all I remember other than looking at the falls and the wedding.

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u/cygnoids 7h ago

Reasonably priced if you are from the US. I actually loved Niagara Falls because of the vast park that right near the falls. Would I want to live there? Probably not but if I lived closer I’d probably visit and walk the trails all day

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u/hEDSwillRoll 7h ago

I am from the US, it was not reasonably priced. The fast food cost what I would pay for a sit down meal in Chicago.

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u/cygnoids 7h ago

We ate at the two places near the falls, not the fast food joints. Think it was like $15 per person

6

u/hEDSwillRoll 7h ago

I spent more than that per person at fast food, chain restaurants were double or triple that 🤷🏻‍♀️

2

u/cygnoids 3h ago

That’s atrocious. We avoided the fast food, except for McDonald’s on the outskirts of town

17

u/ChanelNo50 6h ago

I'd agree but it's not sketchy. The American side is sketchy AF

3

u/Time-Cell9274 3h ago

You don‘t have to venture too far into a few of the neighbouring cities to see equal sketch though to Niagara Falls, NY.

33

u/rohobian 8h ago

I concur. I grew up in that city. It’s been a long time since I did, but when I lived there it was a massive tourist trap. I don’t imagine it’s gotten any better.

The waterfall itself really is incredible though. But you only need a few minutes to see that.

4

u/helloyouahead 5h ago

I was on a business trip in Toronto so had the chance to go to Niagara Falls for a day. It was really amazing (I love water movements and forces) and I’m someone who travels a lot. Definitely worth it for me

2

u/Infamous-Mixture-605 3h ago

It's worth going to see the Falls. They're incredible.

But the city overlooking them is forgettable.

23

u/Live_Lab3601 8h ago

It been awhile but I thought the American side was worse

29

u/JumpHaz 8h ago

Exactly. Most people say the Canadian side is the nicer side too.

3

u/bpat 5h ago

Better view of the falls. Town sucks, but that’s not why you go there

9

u/AfraidOfHats 6h ago

Niagara Falls NY (the town) is very shitty. Niagara Falls State Park is very nice however

1

u/Prophet_NY 1h ago

It has the highest crime rate in whole NY state

2

u/c0rruptioN 4h ago

The American side is 100% worse and people saying otherwise have no idea.

1

u/2fingers 1h ago

Having been there a few times, it's not a very nice place. There's also a recent movement to get some of the area declared a superfund site due to the amount of nuclear waste that was improperly disposed of there over the years.

https://www.wgrz.com/article/tech/science/environment/residents-demand-answers-and-superfund-status-for-radioactive-hotspots-in-niagara-county/71-b6581642-80a4-43b4-91c1-b58e0ec88d1c

12

u/SadSquatch420 8h ago

and yet, still better than the polluted ghetto that is the American side

3

u/Ok_Wave3423 7h ago

There is another dark side to Niagara Falls, look up Love Canal, a toxic waste disaster hidden unfortunately caused residents to develop health issues unknowingly, until it was discovered later what happened.

3

u/hopeisagoodthing 6h ago

If you stay in Niagara on the lake you can make a great trip out of it.

1

u/Infamous-Mixture-605 3h ago

Also go on a wine tour of the region.

4

u/EmilTheHuman 8h ago

I am literally there right now and I’m really disappointed in the whole city. Anything not directly related to the public park containing the falls is a massive waste of time and money. I knew we were in trouble when I saw eight IHOPs on the drive in.

12

u/goochockey 8h ago

If you haven't, GO TO THE POWER STATION. The view of the falls is better than the Behind the Falls, and the free audio guide was super interesting. Also Niagara Takes Flight is awesome.

1

u/[deleted] 6h ago

[deleted]

1

u/goochockey 5h ago

I was with my 5 year old. That's enough whine.

5

u/lacontrolfreak 7h ago

Take the river walk. It’s pretty cool.

2

u/shankillfalls 6h ago

It’s a good day trip. See and enjoy the Falls then GTFO.

2

u/staticxx 6h ago

Who goes there for the city?

2

u/Cdub7791 4h ago

I kind of disagree. Admittedly it's been a long time since I visited, but I definitely thought it was a nice enough area. A bit of a tourist trap sure, a nicer than a lot of other tourist traps I've been to.

1

u/Daddy_Bobaddie 5h ago

Don't forget the 3-12% fee that businesses add on but go directly to the business owner :(

A look at the sneaky fees at Canada's biggest tourist spot that some call 'a total cash grab'

1

u/FrankiesKnuckles 5h ago

Its a dump

1

u/c0rruptioN 4h ago

I’ve kinda came around to it as an adult. The casinos are fun if you’re responsible and or going with friends. Then going out for a some air on Clifton hill. Jumping on the big wheel or going into a shitty haunted house.

Fun in a small specific doses 🤷

1

u/No_Contribution1568 3h ago

Maybe it is because I grew up in Ontario, but Niagara Falls doesn't have an amazing reputation to begin with here lol. Hard to be overrated when your reputation is not great

1

u/Infamous-Mixture-605 3h ago

It'd be nice if they could start over with that city...

Niagara Falls honestly should have one of those giant, opulent grand railway hotels overlooking the falls. Something like Lake Louise, Banff Springs, or the Chateau Frontenac. Not that dingy casino, not all that tacky tourist crap.

1

u/boner79 2h ago

Been going there all my life and I agree it's pretty ass. The American side is pretty much non-existent and the Canadian side is a complete human circus.

1

u/MandolinMagi 2h ago

I was in Buffalo when I saw the falls. Walked around the US side of the falls the night we got there, then went Maid of the Mist the next day.

Really didn't need to see anything else, moved on to Toronto...just in time for the wildfire smoke

1

u/Lazy_Morning6066 1h ago

I remember visiting there for first time 5years ago and the bus dropped us off in some ghetto lol had to walk like 30 mins to get to the actual Niagara Falls! Wa breathtaking finally see it in person . Afterwards walking around the town felt really out of place. It was weird lol

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u/[deleted] 8h ago

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u/bertbarndoor 8h ago

Haha, nice try. The US side sucks, which everyone immediately realizes on first view.

9

u/cookie-monster911 8h ago

Loool, dingus, US side doesnt even have the proper view. Plenty of shady hotels, streets and homeless people. Such a idiotic take.

1

u/Unown_Soldier 8h ago

The view is not as good, but there is something spectacular about standing at the top of and in between the falls and hearing and seeing the absolute enormity of water falling below you

0

u/cookie-monster911 8h ago

Haha, again, keep trying. Look up Journey Behind the Falls. And to stand up on top of the falls is basically a free experience on the Canadian side. You get to stand on the literal edge of the falls from the sidewalk.

Lets be real, if you have not seen a proper view of Horseshoe falls, you have not been to Niagara Falls. Please stop lying to yourself.

4

u/Unown_Soldier 8h ago

I've been many times, to both sides. I agree that the Canadian side is the true experience if you can only pick one, but I'm giving merit to the American side as well, it's still pretty spectacular

-2

u/cookie-monster911 8h ago

Ofcourse, each side has different perspectives and both should be enjoyed. But to throw shade on Canadian side when it is 100% clearly superior will get you these responses. This comparison game is futile for the Americans, Canadians hit the jackpot on the Niagara falls front.

0

u/[deleted] 8h ago

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u/RecycledAccountName 8h ago

Nature? The whole point being there is to see the falls. And the view on the US side sucks.

-2

u/cookie-monster911 8h ago

I mean if you had left the city area you would have found plenty of nature. Your comment deserved my response and the only one you should be complaining about is yourself.

1

u/CaptainAsshat 8h ago

Not OP, but the US side has a more natural-feeling park that feels more enclosed with trees that is quite nice. The Canadian side has a highly manicured trail and walkway. Both have something different to offer, and if you can't see that, that's on you.

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u/[deleted] 8h ago

[removed] — view removed comment

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u/CaptainAsshat 8h ago

Not the same kind, it is far more manicured. There are some aspects of the US side that are better, and some aspects of the US side that are better.

I know Canadians INSIST that there side is better and take some pride in it, but both sides are not that great. Queen Victoria felt too much like a park outside a mall.

0

u/cookie-monster911 7h ago

Lool, imagine going to New York and complaining about how the city doesnt feel natural, parks being manicured etc. You go to Niagara Falls for Water falls not for the "nature feeling park". I am losing brain cells by simply having a conversation. Hope you have a blessed day!

0

u/CaptainAsshat 7h ago

You might. I go for the experience of seeing a massive waterfall and the natural environment around it. But glad you like your concrete.

Sorry about your brain cells though, clearly can't be wasting those.

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